### Colts' Anthony Richardson Suffers Bizarre Injury, Lands on IR The Indianapolis Colts faced a significant setback as backup quarterback Anthony Richardson was placed on injured reserve following a freak accident during pre-game warmups. Richardson, who was engaged in his typical workout routine, suffered an orbital fracture when an elastic band malfunctioned, striking him in the eye. This injury is particularly unfortunate as it follows a series of setbacks in his career, including losing the starting quarterback position earlier in the season. The Colts are now left to navigate the upcoming games without their backup quarterback, further complicating their season strategy. ### Breakdown of the Incident and Its Implications 1. **Injury Details**: - Richardson sustained an orbital fracture during pre-game warmups due to an elastic band mishap [https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/colts-qb-anthony-richardson-taken-to-hospital-with-orbital-fracture-after-eye-injury-in-pregame-warmups]. - He was hospitalized immediately after the incident and subsequently placed on injured reserve [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/colts-place-anthony-richardson-injured-210619583.html]. 2. **Impact on the Team**: - The Colts will be without Richardson for at least four games, as he is expected to miss significant time due to the injury [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/shane-steichen-anthony-richardsons-injury-192715679.html]. - Riley Leonard, a sixth-round rookie, has been elevated to the backup quarterback position, indicating a shift in the team's depth chart [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/shane-steichen-riley-221019447.html]. 3. **Historical Context**: - This injury adds to Richardson's history of being injury-prone, having missed substantial time in previous seasons due to various injuries [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/colts_qb_anthony_richardson_suffered_broken_orbital_during_warmups/s1_17039_42889533]. - The Colts had high hopes for Richardson as a future starting quarterback, but his ongoing health issues have raised concerns about his long-term viability in that role [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/anthony_richardson_hospitalized_after_bizarre_pregame_injury/s1_17615_42889863]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Injury Statistics**: - Richardson's injury occurred during a routine warmup, highlighting the unpredictable nature of sports injuries [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/12/colts-qb-richardson-taken-to-hospital-with-orbital-fracture-after-elastic-band-mishap]. - The Colts' performance without Richardson will be closely monitored, especially as they aim to maintain their competitive edge in the league [https://www.wthr.com/article/sports/nfl/indianapolis-colts/anthony-richardson-indianapolis-colts-quarterback-injury-update-head-coach-shane-steichen-daniel-jones/531-3cf21ff5-63a6-4916-8f66-71d9bfe08357]. ### Conclusion: A Tough Break for Richardson and the Colts In summary, **Anthony Richardson's freak injury during pre-game warmups has placed him on injured reserve, complicating the Colts' quarterback situation**. The team must now rely on rookie Riley Leonard as they navigate the next few games without their backup quarterback. This incident not only underscores the unpredictable nature of sports injuries but also raises questions about Richardson's future as a reliable player for the Colts. 1. Richardson's orbital fracture occurred during a pre-game workout, leading to his hospitalization and placement on IR [https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/colts-qb-anthony-richardson-taken-to-hospital-with-orbital-fracture-after-eye-injury-in-pregame-warmups]. 2. The Colts will need to adjust their strategy with Leonard stepping in as the backup [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/shane-steichen-riley-221019447.html]. 3. Richardson's injury history continues to be a concern for the Colts as they look to solidify their quarterback position moving forward [https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/anthony_richardson_hospitalized_after_bizarre_pregame_injury/s1_17615_42889863].